Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons in smoked food products and commerical liquid smoke flavourings

Abstract

Smoked foods including turkey, pork, chicken, beef and fish products were screened for the presence of carcinogenic and non-carcinogenic polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs). Eighteen commercial liquid smoke flavourings and seasonings were also analysed. Total PAH concentrations in smoked meat products ranged from 2.6 micrograms/kg in a cooked ham sample to 29.8 micrograms/kg in grilled pork chops, while those in fish products ranged from 9.3 micrograms/kg in smoked shrimp to 86.6 micrograms/kg in smoked salmon. Total concentrations of the carcinogenic PAHs (benzo[a]anthracene, benzo[b]fluoranthene, benzo[a]pyrene, dibenzo[a,h]anthracene, and indeno[1,2,3-c,d]pyrene) ranged from non-detectable in several meat products to 7.4 micrograms/kg in grilled pork chops, and from 0.2 micrograms/kg in trout to 16.0 micrograms/kg in salmon. In liquid smoke flavourings and seasonings, total PAH concentrations ranged from 6.3 to 43.7 micrograms/kg, with the carcinogenic PAHs ranging from 0.3 to 10.2 micrograms/kg.

Exposure to carcinogenic PAHs for the vendors of broiled food

“…The variety of food used in vendor groups (I) probably led to these results. In addition, previous study showed that car-PAHs were measured in liquid smoke seasoning (Gomaa et al, 1993). Vendor group (I) added seasonings to the meat continually when grilling meat.…”

Influence of fish smoking methods on polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons content and possible risks to human health

“…In a study performed by Gomma et al (1993), the total PAH concentrations were detected between 2.6-29.8 and 9.3-86.6 μg/kg in smoked meat and fish, respectively.…”

Analysis of Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbon Using Programmable Temperature Vaporization Inlet Couple with Gas Chromatography Mass Spectrometry (PTV-GC-MS)

“…Besides that, PAHs are also released into ambient air through dust from rubber products such as car tyres due to abrasion process [3]. Tobacco smoke [4], smoked meats [5], tar oil [6], soft toys, childcare products [7] and extender oils used to improve elasticity in rubber products [8] also contain PAHs, which could penetrate through human skin, lung and digestive system. Other than that, some PAHs are also used to make dyes, plastics, and pesticides including medicines [3].…”

“…Otherwise, the excess solvent may accumulate and cause flooding in the inlet liner and subsequently damage the analytical column. On the other hand, if the time interval is too long, it may also cause the loss of the volatile analytes and therefore, shortest total injection time is desirable [5]. Several injection delay times between 5 to 50 seconds were chosen to study.…”